Men were more likely than women to be diagnosed with cancer at a regional or distant stage for 20 of 30 non-reproductive cancer sites, a large 2026 US analysis found.
- Men had higher odds of regional or distant-stage cancer for 20 of 30 cancer sites
- Men had more than twice the odds of distant-stage tongue cancer compared with women
- Delayed healthcare-seeking, screening differences, and symptom recognition may contribute to the gap
Men may face a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer after it has already spread, according to a large US analysis.
The study found that, across 20 of 30 nonreproductive solid-organ cancer sites, men had greater odds than women of being diagnosed with cancer at a regional or distant stage rather than while it was still localized (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Sex Differences in Cancer Stage at Diagnosis of Nonreproductive Solid Organ Tumors in the United States, 2015 to 2022
)(2✔ ✔Trusted Source
For Many Cancer Types, Men Are More Likely Than Women to Be Diagnosed at a Later Stage
).
The findings add an important dimension to the known difference in cancer outcomes between men and women.
Researchers point to several possible contributors, including differences in screening and healthcare-seeking, how symptoms are interpreted, and how clinicians evaluate symptoms.
Advertisement
What Did The Study Find About Cancer Diagnosis In Men?
A large US analysis found that men were more likely than women to be diagnosed with cancer after it had spread. Researchers analyzed 2,401,772 cancer cases from the US National Cancer Institute’s SEER 21 database, covering 2015 to 2022, with 2020 excluded.
The study looked at 30 non-reproductive cancer sites and accounted for age and year of diagnosis.
Overall, men had higher odds of being diagnosed with regional or distant cancer in 20 of the 30 cancer sites. The biggest difference was seen in distant-stage tongue cancer, where men had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.34, meaning their odds were more than twice those of women after adjustment.
The differences were especially large for several cancer types, as shown below:
ChatGPT said:
If you need the full HTML table for all the data you provided, here it is:
| Cancer site and stage | How much higher were the odds in men? | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue, regional | 151% higher | Men were substantially more likely to be diagnosed after the cancer had spread to nearby areas. |
| Salivary gland, regional | 93% higher | The odds of regional-stage diagnosis were nearly twice as high in men. |
| Oropharynx, regional | 80% higher | Men had markedly higher odds of being diagnosed with regional disease. |
| Thyroid, regional | 74% higher | Men were more likely to have thyroid cancer diagnosed at a regional stage. |
| Stomach, regional | 67% higher | Men had higher odds of stomach cancer being detected after regional spread. |
| Tongue, distant | 134% higher | Men had more than twice the odds of distant-stage diagnosis. |
| Thyroid, distant | 128% higher | Men had more than double the odds of being diagnosed after distant spread. |
| Salivary gland, distant | 97% higher | Men had almost twice the odds of distant-stage diagnosis. |
| Stomach, distant | 56% higher | Men had substantially higher odds of distant-stage stomach cancer. |
| Melanoma, distant | 50% higher | Men had half again as much odds of distant-stage melanoma diagnosis. |
Advertisement
Why Could Men Be Diagnosed With Cancer Later?
The researchers did not establish one specific cause for the differences. Instead, researchers said several explanations could contribute.
Researchers specifically emphasized that the study could not determine which of these factors explains the observed differences.
Advertisement
How Can Masculine Norms Influence Cancer Help-Seeking?
A systematic review found that men’s attitudes toward health and masculinity could influence how quickly they sought help for possible cancer symptoms.
In some studies, traditional masculine expectations were linked with reluctance to acknowledge symptoms or seek professional medical advice (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Psychosocial factors that influence men’s help-seeking for cancer symptoms: a systematic synthesis of mixed methods research
The review suggests that this can happen in several ways:
Could Lifestyle Factors Also Add To The Cancer Gap?
The latest study did not test lifestyle factors as reasons why men were more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage. However, other research shows that men are more often exposed to some cancer risk factors, which may contribute to the wider difference in cancer incidence and survival.
A global study of 30 cancers, published in Cancer, highlighted several differences (4✔ ✔Trusted Source
Burden of 30 cancers among men: Global statistics in 2022 and projections for 2050 using population-based estimates
| Risk factor or behavior | What the research found |
|---|---|
| Smoking | 32.6% of men worldwide smoked in 2020, compared with 6.5% of women. |
| Alcohol use | Men had higher exposure to alcohol, another established cancer risk factor. |
| Occupational exposure | Men had greater exposure to some cancer-causing substances at work. |
| Prevention and screening | Lower participation among men may also contribute to differences in cancer outcomes. |
| Treatment | Differences in the use of some treatment options may also play a role in survival differences. |
So, while lifestyle and prevention behaviors may contribute to the overall cancer gap between men and women, the reasons behind the later-stage diagnosis gap remain uncertain and are likely to involve several factors.
How Big Is the Cancer Gap Between Men And Women Worldwide?
The new study is US-specific, but the broader difference in cancer outcomes among men is seen internationally.
A global analysis using GLOBOCAN 2022 data from 185 countries and territories found that the age-standardized cancer mortality rate among men in 2020 was 43% higher than among women, while the incidence rate was 19% higher.
The same study estimated 10.3 million cancer cases and 5.4 million cancer deaths among men in 2022. By 2050, male cancer cases are projected to reach 19 million, while deaths could reach 10.5 million, representing increases of at least 84% and 93%, respectively.
The authors linked these disparities to a combination of factors, including risk-factor exposure, prevention and screening uptake, access to treatment, and possible biological differences.
This suggests that improving cancer outcomes in men requires attention not only to treatment but also to prevention and early diagnosis.
What Can Men Do To Reduce The Risk Of Late Cancer Diagnosis?
- Keep regular medical appointments, even when you feel healthy.
- Follow recommended cancer screening schedules based on age and individual risk.
- Do not ignore persistent or unusual symptoms.
- Ask about symptoms that are difficult to interpret, rather than assuming they will disappear.
- Discuss smoking, alcohol, and occupational exposures with a healthcare professional.
- Use telehealth or other convenient options if time or access is a barrier.
- Involve a partner or family member when encouragement or support could make seeking care easier.
- Seek medical advice promptly when something changes, rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are men more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer?
A: Yes. The 2026 US analysis found that men had greater odds of regional or distant-stage diagnosis for 20 of 30 non-reproductive cancer sites.
Q: Which cancer showed the biggest difference?
A: Tongue cancer showed one of the largest differences. Men had 134% greater odds of distant-stage diagnosis, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.34.
Q: Why might men be diagnosed with cancer later?
A: Possible contributors include lower screening participation, fewer healthcare visits, delayed responses to symptoms and differences in symptom evaluation. The study did not establish one specific cause.
Q: Can fear or embarrassment delay cancer care?
A: Yes. Previous research has linked fear, embarrassment, low cancer awareness and traditional masculine norms with delayed help-seeking among men.
Q: Does the study prove that men delay seeing doctors?
A: No. The study examined cancer stage at diagnosis and did not directly establish why individual patients were diagnosed later.
Q: Does late-stage cancer mean it cannot be treated?
A: No. Treatment depends on the cancer type, stage, spread and the person’s overall health. Earlier detection can, however, provide more opportunities for treatment.
Q: What should men do if they notice a persistent symptom?
A: They should discuss it with a healthcare professional rather than waiting for it to become severe or assuming it will go away.
References:
- Sex Differences in Cancer Stage at Diagnosis of Nonreproductive Solid Organ Tumors in the United States, 2015 to 2022 – (https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article-abstract/35/7/1166/786276/Sex-Differences-in-Cancer-Stage-at-Diagnosis-of)
- For Many Cancer Types, Men Are More Likely Than Women to Be Diagnosed at a Later Stage – (https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/progress-against-cancer/for-many-cancer-types-men-are-more-likely-than-women-to-be-diagnosed-at-a-later-stage/)
- Psychosocial factors that influence men’s help-seeking for cancer symptoms: a systematic synthesis of mixed methods research – (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pon.3912)
- Burden of 30 cancers among men: Global statistics in 2022 and projections for 2050 using population-based estimates – (https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.35458)
Source-Medindia